Five Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Any time a loved one enters an assisted living facility or nursing home, we want the peace of mind that comes with knowing they’re well cared for. And while the majority of facilities do provide good care, there are some unfortunate situations in which that’s not the case. What are some signs to look out for that may alert you that a loved one has been abused or neglected?

Physical condition

Pay attention to your loved one’s physical condition. If their hygiene is not up to their usual standards, or if they seem to be experiencing health issues that may stem from improper nutrition, this could mean there has been some degree of neglect.

Living conditions

Nursing homes and assisted care facilities are required to ensure that living conditions are clean and safe. If that’s not the case, it could be a red flag.

Emotional and psychological condition

Be aware of your family member’s mental health. If they seem to be struggling, it could be the result of emotional abuse or neglect on the part of the healthcare providers.

Difficulty moving around

Of course, mobility is often difficult for those living in a nursing home. But a sudden or noticeable decline in mobility may be a sign that their healthcare providers are not providing them with sufficient exercise and activity to maintain muscle tone, improve balance and more.

Injuries

Again, it’s certainly possible that an injury can be benign. But if the injury is severe or unexplained, it could indicate that something more is going on. It could be the case that the family member has suffered physical abuse. Or, it’s possible that the healthcare providers are not assisting residents with daily activities as much as they should, and residents may be attempting to do things for themselves that they are not well enough to do.

If you or a loved one has experienced nursing home abuse and you would like legal advice, feel free to contact our team of West Virginia personal injury attorneys anytime at 877.526.3457. Or if you’d prefer to contact us online, please fill out this form and we will respond right away.